General interface

This section describes some general BC Bid interface and general functionality.

Browser Types

BC Bid will work with all modern web browsers. Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome are recommended. BC Bid is not compatible with Internet Explorer.

If using Firefox, ensure that popups are allowed. Do not click the “Don’t allow env.ivalua.ca to prompt you again” message.

Expand/Collapse Menu

The left-hand menu can be expanded or collapsed by selecting the double arrow. When collapsed the icon related to each step is visible, hover over the icon to see the name.

Search Commodity Codes

In the Commodity Code search pop-up (only), the search is first match not best match. First match relates to close spelling as you progress down the alphanumeric tree, whereas best match considers context. Alternatively, searching in the Commodities drop-down produces a best match result.

Note that when there is an active search, the commodity code selector sticks to the search results. Be sure to reset the search to allow you to expand the selection you want. You can also update your search to include results with terms in that specific tree.

Note: The UNSPSC commodity codes are updated at least once a year. A link to the current list of codes can be found here.

Adding files

Files are added using the Click or Drag to add files button.

i.Select the document to upload.

ii.Click Open.

iii. Alternatively, open Windows Explorer and drag the file to the Click or Drag to add files button.

File size and file formats

File uploads are limited to 500 MB per file. File types include common business application file types. There are an unlimited number of attachments.

Text fields editing toolbar

Most text fields in the application allow for the entry of rich text using the editor or What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) toolbar. Only some of the buttons on this toolbar are operational.

Copy/Paste: Use CTRL+C for copy and CTRL+V for paste instead of mouse-click (right-click).

Also note that pasting in a bulleted list from an external document may not work as expected. Copy in an un-bulleted list of text, select these rows of text, and then click the Bulleted List icon in the toolbar.

Close to save using "X"

In many instances throughout BC Bid, you will make selections in a dialog box. In cases where you do not see a Save & Close button, click the “X” at the top-right of the dialog box, the application saves your entry.

Excel response form (Invitation to Quote, Timber Auction, and Invitation to Tender only) 

If completing the Excel response form outside BC Bid, some fields may have long instructions. Turning on text wrapping in Excel will make viewing content easier.

If completing the Excel response form outside BC Bid, answers to questions are case sensitive (eg: yes/Yes). Refer to the response form in BC Bid for how to complete the fields.

Subscription Expiry Dates

When users are subscribed to e-Bidding or Notification subscriptions, the expiry date listed is the date that the subscription is expired. Eg: expiry date June 1, 2022, the service is expired, and the user cannot use their subscription. The last date of the subscription is May 30, 2022.

My Saved Pages (New for 2025)

Within the BC Bid application, you have the option to save any page that you frequently visit, so that you can easily revisit the page as needed.

Star Icon (Save Page)

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1. On any page within BC Bid you should see the star icon in the top left corner. Click on the icon to open the Save Page window. If the star is gold, this means that you are on a page that has been previously saved.

Save Page Window

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2.  Once the Save Page window is open there are a variety of things you can do:

1. Type in a custom name for your saved page into the text box here.
2. Click the Save Page button to save that page and add it to the list below.
3. Pages are grouped into categories based on where they are in BC Bid.
4. Click the pencil icon to edit or the trashcan icon to delete a saved page.
5. Click the small grey arrow beside a category label to minimize each dropdown.

Save Text Fields

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3. As you are saving pages in BC Bid, pages with text fields can have the entered text in the fields saved as well. This is useful for search pages, where you can save keyword searches such as ITQ, RFP, ITT etc.

1. Type the desired text into the search parameters.
2. Click the star icon to save the page. Once saved, when you revisit the page, the text fields that were saved will also populate as well.

Editing Saved Pages

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4. When you are within the Save Page window, you can edit and adjust the saved names of pages you’ve already created as needed.

1. Click the pencil icon to edit the name of a saved page.
2. The text box on the name will open and you can adjust the name as needed
3. Click the x in the top right corner to leave the Save Page window.

My Saved Pages - Keyword Searches

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5. One of the main benefits of the ‘My Saved Pages’ functionality is that users can save keyword searches as needed. This is a chance to fill in search parameters with your most searched keywords and then save that page. When you revisit the saved page, your keywords will remain allowing you to easily access your most used searches.

You can search based on the following:

• Keyword
• Sourcing Project Type
• Status
• Opportunity ID
• Organization
• Opportunity Type
• RFx Status

Accessibility Features (New for 2025)

In the BC Bid application you can toggle accessibility features in 2 different ways. Contrast can be adjusted and passive notifications can be turned off.

Please Note: The accessibility icon is now in the top right hand corner of the BC Bid application. Older screenshots may show this symbol located in another area. This symbol can be turned off.

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1. There are 2 ways to access accessibility settings.

1. Click the circular symbol in the top right hand corner.
2. Click on your name and click on my settings in the drop-down menu.

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       2. The accessibility settings window will open after clicking on the circular icon in the top right hand corner.

1. Here you can adjust contrast settings between the default and high contrast modes.
2. You can turn passive notifications (blue) on or off in this section.
3. Always click Save to save your updated settings choices.
4. Optional: Click the x to exit this menu without saving, if you simply need to close it.

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3. After clicking on your name in the top right hand corner, and clicking on My Settings, you will be taken to the My Settings page. Click on General Preferences on the left hand side.

1. Under the Accessibility Settings you can make adjustments to certain features.
2. You can turn high contrast on by checking this box.
3. You can chose to turn off passive (blue) notifications but unchecking this box.
4. You can chose to hide the circular accessibility settings icon from the top right hand corner of BC Bid by unchecking this box.

Note: Please save your settings after any changes by clicking the save button.